Final Assessment for Unit One: Argument Synthesis Essay
What is an argument synthesis essay? “The purpose of an argument synthesis is for you to present your own point of view - supported, of course, by relevant facts, drawn from sources, and presented in a logical manner. The thesis of an argumentative essay is debatable. It makes a proposition about which reasonable people could disagree, and any two writers working with the same source materials could conceive of and support other, opposite theses.” [https://www.msu.edu/~jdowell/135/Synthesis.html]
WRITING WORKSHOP MATERIALS :
FINAL Essay Rubric below -- top 3 point getters -- Use of Evidence, Paragraph Development, and Style
Throughout unit one, we’ve been looking at various perspectives on issues related to principles, integrity, ideals, and personal sacrifice. We’ve discussed the tensions present between ideals and reality. All of these relate to the essential question:
Is maintaining personal integrity more important than survival/self-preservation?
We’ve read and viewed the following materials in response to this question:
Full-Length Text
Arthur Miller, The Crucible (1952) (Considering John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, and Reverend Hale especially)
For your final assessment, you will write an essay that takes a position on this topic. Obviously, this is a SUBJECTIVE question, meaning that each person can develop his or her own opinion in response to it. No two opinions will be exactly alike. The key is to develop your position and to carefully prove your argument.
To support your claims, you should use The Crucible and at least three disciplinary works from the list above to cite as evidence in your essay.
Your essay should be a minimum of 3 pages and a maximum of 5 pages in length. It should be written in Google Docs and saved into your shared folder. You will also need to use correct MLA format including a Work Cited page.
You should plan to incorporate atleast 7 words from our unit one vocabulary list into your essay.
During the course of your work on this essay, you will need to meet one on one with Mrs. Holliday and/or visit the Writing Center. You may choose which option works best for you but make sure to plan ahead.
So you can plan your time accordingly, here is our schedule for the next week of class:
Thursday, 9/22
Overview of Persuasive Essay format + Pre-writing CLASS TIME TO WORK ON GETTING STARTED (15 minutes)
Friday, 9/23
Writing Workshop (20 minutes) : Choosing your sources and developing a working thesis CLASS TIME TO WORK ON ESSAY (30 minutes)
Monday, 9/26
Writing Workshop (20 minutes) : Summary v. Analysis CLASS TIME TO WORK ON ESSAY (30 minutes)
Tuesday, 9/27
NO CLASS – LOTS OF TIME TO WORK ON OWN
Wednesday, 9/28
Writing Workshop (45 minutes) : How to pull evidence from video and citing non-written sources Peer Editing and Feedback CLASS TIME TO WORK ON ESSAY (35 minutes)
Thursday, 9/29
Writing Workshop (15 minutes) : MLA format and Work Cited CLASS TIME TO WORK ON ESSAY (35 minutes)
Friday, 9/30
Writing Workshop (15 minutes) : Editing and Revision CLASS TIME TO WORK ON ESSAY (35 minutes)
FINAL REVISIONS IN GOOGLE DOCS DUE BY MIDNIGHT SUNDAY, 10/2
Final Assessment for Unit One: Argument Synthesis Essay
What is an argument synthesis essay?
“The purpose of an argument synthesis is for you to present your own point of view - supported, of course, by relevant facts, drawn from sources, and presented in a logical manner. The thesis of an argumentative essay is debatable. It makes a proposition about which reasonable people could disagree, and any two writers working with the same source materials could conceive of and support other, opposite theses.” [https://www.msu.edu/~jdowell/135/Synthesis.html]
WRITING WORKSHOP MATERIALS :
FINAL Essay Rubric below -- top 3 point getters -- Use of Evidence, Paragraph Development, and Style
Review how to structure your argument by clicking on the file below :
Review how to use your sources in a variety of ways by clicking on the file below :
Review how to structure an effective concession and rebuttal by clicking on the file below :
Review MLA guidelines for citation and Work Cited by clicking on the file below :
Throughout unit one, we’ve been looking at various perspectives on issues related to principles, integrity, ideals, and personal sacrifice. We’ve discussed the tensions present between ideals and reality. All of these relate to the essential question:
We’ve read and viewed the following materials in response to this question:
Full-Length Text
Disciplinary Texts
1) Costica Bradatan, “Philosophy as an Art of Dying” (2011) http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/12/philosophy-as-an-art-of-dying/
2) “The Challenge” (1955) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPuDbM8a67c
3) “The Life and Death of Gandhi” (1998) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/50664.stm
4) “Gandhi Film Trailer” (1982 film) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVwCeGxTN-A
5) “Gandhi’s Non-Violence Speech” (1982 film) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3tjIiWIkAQ
6) George Orwell, “Reflections on Gandhi” (1949)
7) Patrick Henry, “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” (1775)
8) Gwendolyn Brooks, “Kitchenette Building” (1963) http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/172080
9) Alicia Ostriker, “Poem Beginning with a Line by Fitzgerald/ Hemingway” (1998)
10) Tamar Lewin, “When It’s One Absolute Right Against Another” (1988) http://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/29/weekinreview/ideas-trends-when-it-s-one-absolute-right-against-another.html
Overview of Assignment
For your final assessment, you will write an essay that takes a position on this topic. Obviously, this is a SUBJECTIVE question, meaning that each person can develop his or her own opinion in response to it. No two opinions will be exactly alike. The key is to develop your position and to carefully prove your argument.
To support your claims, you should use The Crucible and at least three disciplinary works from the list above to cite as evidence in your essay.
Your essay should be a minimum of 3 pages and a maximum of 5 pages in length. It should be written in Google Docs and saved into your shared folder. You will also need to use correct MLA format including a Work Cited page.
You should plan to incorporate at least 7 words from our unit one vocabulary list into your essay.
During the course of your work on this essay, you will need to meet one on one with Mrs. Holliday and/or visit the Writing Center. You may choose which option works best for you but make sure to plan ahead.
Timeline
So you can plan your time accordingly, here is our schedule for the next week of class:
CLASS TIME TO WORK ON GETTING STARTED (15 minutes)
CLASS TIME TO WORK ON ESSAY (30 minutes)
CLASS TIME TO WORK ON ESSAY (30 minutes)
How to pull evidence from video and citing non-written sources
Peer Editing and Feedback
CLASS TIME TO WORK ON ESSAY (35 minutes)
CLASS TIME TO WORK ON ESSAY (35 minutes)
CLASS TIME TO WORK ON ESSAY (35 minutes)
FINAL REVISIONS IN GOOGLE DOCS DUE BY MIDNIGHT SUNDAY, 10/2